Chimaev vs. Covington: RAF Cruiserweight Title Fight in Abu Dhabi

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Colby Covington to Headline RAF Abu Dhabi Event

The long-awaited showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington is finally set. These two fighters, who have exchanged words from a distance for years, will face off in a title bout this November at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The match will headline Real American Freestyle's (RAF) first event in the city on November 14.

Covington, currently holding a perfect 5-0 record under the RAF banner, will defend his cruiserweight crossover championship against Chimaev. After leaving the UFC, where he was an interim welterweight champion and three-time title challenger, Covington has dominated the RAF mats throughout 2026. His wins include victories over MMA veterans such as Luke Rockhold, Dillon Danis, and Chris Weidman. He claimed the inaugural cruiserweight crossover belt in July by defeating Arman Tsarukyan and recently defended it with a commanding 10-0 victory against former UFC welterweight champ Belal Muhammad at RAF 13.

Chimaev, who once held the UFC middleweight title, has also made waves since joining RAF. He quickly dispatched Danis in just 45 seconds during his June debut and repeated the feat with a 94-second win over ex-UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley at RAF Moscow.

This fight is the culmination of a rivalry that dates back to 2020 when Chimaev made his UFC debut. The two fighters have finally agreed to settle their differences inside the cage.

Additional RAF Abu Dhabi Matches Announced

Besides the headline bout, RAF has revealed more big names for the Abu Dhabi event, including Arman Tsarukyan, Henry Cejudo, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder, and Abdulrashid Sadulaev. Their opponents remain unannounced as of now.

Event: RAF Abu Dhabi
Date: November 14, 2026
Location: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Main Event: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Colby Covington (RAF Cruiserweight Crossover Title)
Covington's RAF Record: 5-0
Covington's Recent Win: 10-0 over Belal Muhammad at RAF 13
Chimaev's RAF Record: 2-0
Chimaev's Recent Wins: 45-second win over Dillon Danis; 94-second win over Tyron Woodley